FIFTEEN University of the West Indies students — among them Jamaican Douglas Brown, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology and Physics —are beneficiaries of this year’s CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank scholarships.

The awards, valued at US$2,500 each, have been made available through the Comtrust Foundation, the governing body for the bank’s corporate social responsibility initiatives.

The scholarships are awarded to undergraduate and graduate students, in any discipline, on any of the three campuses of the regional institution — Cave Hill, Barbados; St Augustine, Trinidad and Mona, Jamaica.

“The bank is keen to assist the UWI in ensuring that its graduates in banking, financial services and related areas are well-rounded individuals who are capable of taking their place as leaders in the Caribbean community,” said chairman of the Comtrust Foundation Michael Mansoor, referencing the partnership that has existed between his institution and the UWI since 2003.

This year’s winners were delighted to receive their awards from the bank, with many expressing heartfelt appreciation.

“In these rough economic times, it takes courage and goodwill to invest significantly in the lives of the youth. CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank has demonstrated this courage and goodwill not once, but continuously by giving scholarships to deserving UWI students,” said Brown. “This is very admirable and I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the bank for offering me this scholarship.”

Aldin Crump Jr, an Antiguan pursuing his bachelor of science degree in accounting and finance at Cave Hill, echoed those sentiments.

“I was both relieved and excited to learn that I had been chosen as a recipient for this scholarship. The financial support the bank has given through this scholarship will be of significant aid in securing my future in this field,” he said.

Barbadian Kayla Brandon, a double major undergraduate student in economics and accounting also at the Cave Hill campus, thanked the bank for providing her with one of the scholarships.

“I have chosen this career path, not only because of my love for this area of study, but through a desire to serve in this field at the highest level for the benefit of my country and the wider Caribbean region,” she said.

The Comtrust Foundation ensures that one per cent of the bank’s profits after tax annually is committed to important causes, which contribute to the social health of the Caribbean.